Why FG grounded Kenyan aircraft

The Federal Government on Thursday cited non compliance with security procedures as part of the reasons why it grounded a Kenyan aircraft that brought in three Nigerian deportees to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The aircraft has been detained by security agencies since June 3 under the directive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Coordinating General Manager, Corporate Communications, Aviation Parastatals, Yakubu Dati, who confirmed the grounding of the aircraft said that the flight is going through routine security checks and would be released on completion.

He also disclosed that the aircraft, a DC-9 with registration number, 5Y-SAX owned by Cavoc Airlines arrived Nigeria on June 3 with 18 persons on board, 15 of which were crew members and three Nigerians that were deported.

The deported Nigerians he said were still in detention at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the watchful eyes of security agencies.

His words, “On June 3, 2013 , about 18:36 hours, a Kenya aircraft with registration number 5Y-SAX, owned by Cavoc Airlines arrived Nigeria with a total of 18 persons. Among them, 15 were crew members while the three other persons on board were passengers.

The three Nigerians were said to be deportees from Kenya, but the security agencies in Lagos discovered that certain procedures were not complied with and subsequently grounded the aircraft.

“That is why the aircraft has been grounded and it is going through security routine at the moment. As soon as the grey areas are clarified the aircraft will be released according to the laws of the land. The type of aircraft is DC-9 and the deportees are still under detention.”